Cheetah Conservation At The Genetic Level

Thermo Fisher Scientific
13 May 201505:47

Summary

TLDRDr. Lori Marker from the Cheetah Conservation Fund discusses the cheetah's genetic challenges, including low genetic diversity and susceptibility to disease, contributing to a 90% decline in the 20th century. She highlights the importance of each individual cheetah and the use of microsatellites to track genetic diversity. The establishment of a high-tech genetics lab in Namibia, supported by Thermo Fisher Scientific, enables local training and international collaboration, aiming to conserve cheetahs and educate communities.

Takeaways

  • 🐆 The cheetah is experiencing a significant lack of genetic diversity, which is a critical conservation concern.
  • 🌍 Dr. Lori Marker from the Cheetah Conservation Fund is working to raise awareness and funds for cheetah conservation, highlighting the species' 90% decline in the 20th century.
  • 🔬 Cheetahs are genetically so similar that they can accept skin grafts from other cheetahs without rejection, indicating a low genetic variation.
  • 🦠 The genetic similarity also makes cheetahs susceptible to diseases, with outbreaks capable of causing high mortality rates.
  • 🧬 Dr. Marker's team uses microsatellites to track genetic diversity and monitor the health of cheetah populations.
  • 🌱 The conservation efforts aim to maintain genetic diversity and prevent further losses in the cheetah population.
  • 🏛️ A high-tech genetics lab has been established in Namibia with support from Thermo Fisher Scientific, enhancing the capacity for genetic research.
  • 🔬 The lab's upgrade to an Applied Biosystems 3130 genetic analyzer has increased throughput, allowing for more extensive genetic analysis.
  • 🌐 The lab serves as a center for international collaboration and invites scientists worldwide to contribute to African wildlife genetics research.
  • 🌱 The lab's presence in Africa is pivotal for training local scientists and promoting conservation genetics research without the need to leave the continent.

Q & A

  • What is the primary concern regarding the cheetah's genetic diversity?

    -The cheetah is facing a significant lack of genetic diversity, which makes it susceptible to diseases and challenges in reproduction.

  • Why is Dr. Lori Marker raising funds for cheetah conservation?

    -Dr. Lori Marker is raising funds to support the conservation efforts for cheetahs, which have experienced a 90% decline in the 20th century due to human activities.

  • What is the significance of the cheetah's genetic similarity?

    -The genetic similarity among cheetahs is so high that they can accept skin grafts from other cheetahs without rejection, highlighting their limited genetic diversity.

  • How has the cheetah's genetic diversity affected its health?

    -The lack of genetic diversity in cheetahs has led to high concentrations of abnormal sperm, which impacts their reproductive success.

  • What role does the major histocompatibility complex play in the cheetah's susceptibility to diseases?

    -The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in cheetahs is less diverse, making them more susceptible to diseases, as evidenced by outbreaks that have caused significant mortality.

  • How does the use of microsatellites contribute to cheetah conservation?

    -Microsatellites are used to create a genetic footprint for each cheetah, allowing researchers to track relatedness and manage populations more effectively.

  • What is the purpose of the high-tech genetics lab established by Dr. Marker's team?

    -The genetics lab is used to analyze DNA from cheetahs, helping to understand their genetic diversity and to develop conservation strategies to protect the species.

  • How has the collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific benefited the cheetah conservation lab?

    -Thermo Fisher Scientific has supported the lab with genetic analyzers and technical support, which has significantly increased the lab's capabilities and throughput.

  • What is the significance of the cheetah conservation lab being the only one of its kind on the African continent?

    -The lab's unique position allows it to serve as a model for other African scientists, promoting local expertise and enabling conservation genetics research without the need to leave the continent.

  • How does the cheetah conservation fund plan to use the genetic information gathered?

    -The genetic information is used to advise governments on the importance of maintaining cheetah populations and to develop conservation programs, including creating wildlife corridors and preserving large landscapes.

  • What are the long-term goals of the cheetah conservation efforts as described in the script?

    -The long-term goals include maintaining genetic diversity, preventing further population decline, and changing the face of Africa by establishing a model for local conservation genetics research.

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Ähnliche Tags
Cheetah ConservationGenetic DiversityWildlife ConflictDisease OutbreaksScat DNA AnalysisNamibia WildlifeGenetic LabConservation ProgramsAfrican EcologyEndangered Species
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